A method, system, and computer medium for determining heart rate fluctuations

Abstract

This invention discloses a method, system, and computer medium for determining heart rate fluctuations. The method includes: analyzing and processing 24-hour Holter monitoring data to obtain a Holter monitor containing only sinus beats; identifying each sinus beat-only Holter monitor period where the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases, and recording the event of continuous instantaneous heart rate increase as a heart rate increase event; determining whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event based on the instantaneous heart rate increase amount and heart rate fluctuation threshold, thereby analyzing cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation events. This invention provides a new indicator for studying cardiac load by determining heart rate fluctuation events, and also provides direction and basis for studying the causes of abnormal human vital signs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dynamic electrocardiography, and particularly to a method, system, and computer medium for determining heart rate fluctuations. Background Technology

[0002] Heart rate is an important indicator reflecting human vital signs. The fluctuation of human heart rate is like the ebb and flow of the tide at sea. The rise and fall of instantaneous heart rate (i.e., heart rate fluctuation) is a quantitative basis for changes in the human heart's workload. However, while existing technologies can observe the constant fluctuation of heart rate through electrocardiogram data, they do not provide a method for calculating heart rate fluctuation, making it difficult to quantify the heart's workload based on heart rate fluctuation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a method, system, and computer medium for determining heart rate fluctuations, solving the problem that existing technologies cannot calculate heart rate fluctuations.

[0004] This invention provides a method for determining heart rate fluctuations. The method includes: analyzing and processing 24-hour Holter monitoring data to obtain a Holter monitoring system containing only sinus beats; identifying each period of continuous instantaneous heart rate increase from the Holter monitoring system containing only sinus beats, and recording the event of continuous instantaneous heart rate increase as a heart rate increase event; determining whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event based on the instantaneous heart rate increase amount and heart rate fluctuation threshold of each heart rate increase event, thereby analyzing cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation events.

[0005] Preferably, the step of analyzing and processing the data of a 24-hour Holter monitor to obtain a Holter monitor containing only sinus beats includes: acquiring the data of the 24-hour Holter monitor from the recorder; analyzing the data of the 24-hour Holter monitor on a beat-by-beat basis to determine the type of each beat; and removing abnormal beats to obtain a Holter monitor containing only sinus beats.

[0006] Preferably, the type of heartbeat includes a sinus heartbeat, and the abnormal type of heartbeat is any heartbeat other than the sinus heartbeat.

[0007] Preferably, finding each sinus electrocardiogram period with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate from a dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus beats includes: determining the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus beats; determining each sinus electrocardiogram period with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate based on the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus beats; wherein each sinus electrocardiogram period with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate contains at least two adjacent RR intervals with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate, the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the first RR interval in each sinus electrocardiogram period with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate is less than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval, and the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the subsequent RR interval in the sinus electrocardiogram period with a continuously increasing instantaneous heart rate is greater than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval.

[0008] Preferably, determining whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event based on the instantaneous heart rate increase and the heart rate fluctuation threshold of each heart rate increase event includes: for any heart rate increase event, determining the instantaneous heart rate increase amount of the heart rate increase event based on the instantaneous heart rates corresponding to the first and last RR intervals in the sinus electrocardiogram period of continuous instantaneous heart rate increase; comparing the instantaneous heart rate increase amount of the heart rate increase event with the heart rate fluctuation threshold; if the instantaneous heart rate increase amount of the heart rate increase event is greater than the heart rate fluctuation threshold, then determining that the heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event.

[0009] Preferably, the heart rate fluctuation threshold is positively correlated with the analytical sensitivity of heart rate fluctuation events.

[0010] Preferably, the analysis of cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation events includes: counting the number of heart rate fluctuation events and the frequency of the heart rate fluctuation events according to preset time information; quantifying the degree and cycle of change in cardiac load based on the number of heart rate fluctuation events and the frequency of the heart rate fluctuation events; or, plotting a time histogram of heart rate fluctuation events based on the preset statistical time information and the number of heart rate fluctuation events, so as to reflect the degree of change in cardiac load through the time histogram.

[0011] Preferably, the method further includes: drawing a heart rate trend graph based on the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram of the human body, so as to reflect the load of the heart through the heart rate trend graph.

[0012] This invention provides a system for determining heart rate fluctuations, comprising a data acquisition unit for acquiring and storing 24-hour Holter monitoring data of a human body; a computer for acquiring and processing the 24-hour Holter monitoring data of the human body from the data acquisition unit; the computer includes a memory and a processor; wherein the memory of the computer stores a program for determining heart rate fluctuations, and when the program is executed by the processor of the computer, it implements the steps of the aforementioned method for determining heart rate fluctuations.

[0013] The present invention provides a computer medium having a program for determining heart rate fluctuations stored thereon, wherein the program for determining heart rate fluctuations, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the aforementioned method for determining heart rate fluctuations.

[0014] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This invention analyzes 24-hour dynamic electrocardiograms of the human body to obtain heart rate fluctuation events in the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram, providing a new indicator for studying cardiac load and also providing direction and basis for studying the causes of abnormal human vital signs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the RR interval, instantaneous heart rate, and a single heart rate increase event provided by the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This invention provides the initial heart rate and heart rate fluctuation value (heart rate increase) corresponding to the time of occurrence of each heart rate fluctuation event when the heart rate fluctuation threshold △HR0 is set to 4 BPM.

[0018] Figure 3 This invention provides a heart rate fluctuation curve and a diagram of a complete heart rate fluctuation event.

[0019] Figure 4 This is the heart rate trend chart provided by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a time histogram of heart rate fluctuation events provided by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the method for determining heart rate fluctuations provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a computer structure block diagram for determining heart rate fluctuations provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described below are only for illustration and explanation of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0024] Instantaneous heart rate fluctuations provide quantitative evidence of changes in cardiac load, and data on heart rate fluctuations in Holter monitoring are fundamental for studying various vital signs. Changes in blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate are closely related to heart rate fluctuations. Therefore, this invention provides a technique that can both determine and statistically analyze the frequency of heart rate fluctuations. This technique can be used not only to analyze cardiac load but also to simultaneously analyze the relationship between heart rate fluctuations, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.

[0025] See Figure 6 The method for determining heart rate fluctuations provided by this invention may include the following steps:

[0026] Step S101: By analyzing and processing the data of the human body's 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram, a dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus beats is obtained.

[0027] The data of the human body’s 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram are obtained from the recorder. The data of the human body’s 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram are analyzed one by one to determine the type of each heartbeat. Common types include sinus (N), ventricular (V), supraventricular (S), artifact or noise (O). Among them, supraventricular (S) heartbeats can be further divided into atrial (A) and junctional (J).

[0028] In this invention, all heartbeats other than sinus beats are considered abnormal heartbeats. By removing these abnormal heartbeats, a dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus beats is obtained. Removing abnormal heartbeats can be achieved by deleting or no longer using the two RR intervals before and after that heartbeat, ensuring that heart rate fluctuations, especially the rising phase of heart rate fluctuations, are continuous sinus beats.

[0029] Step S102: Find each sinus ECG period in the Holter ECG containing only sinus beats where the instantaneous heart rate increases continuously, and record the event of the instantaneous heart rate increase as the heart rate increase event.

[0030] Based on the Holter monitor containing only sinus beats, determine the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the Holter monitor containing only sinus beats. The instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval is equal to 60 divided by the duration (seconds) of the RR interval. Based on the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the Holter monitor containing only sinus beats, determine each sinus ECG period in which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases. Each sinus ECG period in which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases contains at least two adjacent RR intervals in which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases. The instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the first RR interval in each sinus ECG period in which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases is less than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval, and the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the subsequent RR interval in each sinus ECG period in which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases is greater than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval. For example, the instantaneous heart rates corresponding to the 1st to 5th RR intervals are 56, 54, 58, 60, and 59, respectively. The RR intervals with a sustained increase in instantaneous heart rate are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RR intervals. That is, the sinus electrocardiogram period with a sustained increase in instantaneous heart rate is composed of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RR intervals. The instantaneous heart rate of 54 corresponding to the first RR interval of this sinus electrocardiogram period with a sustained increase in instantaneous heart rate is less than the instantaneous heart rate of 56 corresponding to the previous RR interval. The instantaneous heart rate of 60 corresponding to the last RR interval of this sinus electrocardiogram period with a sustained increase in instantaneous heart rate is greater than the instantaneous heart rate of 59 corresponding to the next RR interval.

[0031] In addition, for ease of explanation, an event in which the instantaneous heart rate increases continuously is called a heart rate increase event. In the example above, the instantaneous heart rate increases continuously during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RR intervals. That is to say, a heart rate increase event occurs during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RR intervals.

[0032] Step S103: Based on the instantaneous increase in heart rate and the heart rate fluctuation threshold of each heart rate increase event, determine whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event, and then analyze cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation event.

[0033] Based on the instantaneous heart rates corresponding to the first and last RR intervals within a sinus electrocardiogram period of sustained instantaneous heart rate increase for any heart rate increase event, the instantaneous heart rate increase is determined. This instantaneous heart rate increase is then compared to the heart rate fluctuation threshold. If the instantaneous heart rate increase is greater than the heart rate fluctuation threshold, the heart rate increase event is determined to be a heart rate fluctuation event. For example, in the above case, the instantaneous heart rate increase during a sinus electrocardiogram period of sustained instantaneous heart rate increase is the difference between the instantaneous heart rate of 60 corresponding to the last RR interval of that period and the instantaneous heart rate of 54 corresponding to the first RR interval of that period, which is 6. Assuming the heart rate fluctuation threshold is set to 4, then this heart rate increase event is considered a heart rate fluctuation event.

[0034] The heart rate fluctuation threshold refers to the minimum increase in heart rate required to calculate a heart rate fluctuation event, and its adjustable range is 1-30 bpm. The heart rate fluctuation threshold is positively correlated with the analytical sensitivity of heart rate fluctuation events; that is, the smaller the heart rate fluctuation threshold, the more sensitive it is to heart rate fluctuations, and the more heart rate fluctuation events are calculated, and vice versa.

[0035] It should be noted that a heart rate fluctuation event includes two phases: heart rate rise and heart rate fall. That is, the rise and fall of the heart rate constitute a cycle. Therefore, in the analysis process, it is only necessary to find the number of times the instantaneous heart rate rises and the rise is greater than the heart rate fluctuation threshold.

[0036] Generally, the number and frequency of heart rate fluctuation events are counted according to preset time information. For example, the number and frequency of heart rate fluctuation events can be counted according to daytime and nighttime, or on an hourly or minutely basis. This allows for the quantitative determination of the degree and cycle of changes in cardiac load based on the number and frequency of heart rate fluctuation events. Optionally, a time histogram of heart rate fluctuation events can be plotted based on the preset statistical time information and the number of heart rate fluctuation events, thereby reflecting the degree of change in cardiac load through the time histogram.

[0037] In addition, a heart rate trend graph can be plotted based on the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in a 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram, thereby reflecting the workload of the heart through the heart rate trend graph.

[0038] In addition, if at least one of the following parameters—blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate—is simultaneously collected while collecting a 24-hour Holter monitor, then the relationship between heart rate fluctuations and at least one of these parameters can be analyzed simultaneously. This provides direction and basis for studying the causes of abnormalities in vital signs such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate.

[0039] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 5 Let me explain in detail.

[0040] 1. Record 24-hour Holter ECG data, use specialized analysis software to analyze the 24-hour ECG data beat by beat, calculate, analyze and label the type of each heartbeat and the RR interval between every two adjacent heartbeats.

[0041] See Figure 1 Each heartbeat is labeled as a sinus beat (N), and the RR intervals between any two adjacent heartbeats are 1056 ms, 1096 ms, 1024 ms, 1000 ms, and 1016 ms, respectively.

[0042] 2. Mark and remove all abnormal heartbeats (ectopic heartbeats), and only identify heart rate fluctuations for continuous sinus heartbeats.

[0043] 3. Convert each RR interval (unit: seconds) into instantaneous heart rate HR (BPM, heartbeats per minute) using the formula HR = 60 / RR (BPM).

[0044] 4. Mark the instantaneous heart rate (HR) corresponding to each RR interval.

[0045] See Figure 1 The instantaneous heart rate (HR) corresponding to an RR interval of 1.056 seconds (i.e., 1056 milliseconds) is 56, and the instantaneous heart rate (HR) corresponding to an RR interval of 1.096 seconds (i.e., 1096 milliseconds) is 54.

[0046] 5. Identify and mark the sinus (labeled N) ECG periods in which the instantaneous heart rate increases continuously, and calculate the increase in heart rate for each sustained heart rate increase event (hereinafter referred to as the heart rate increase event).

[0047] See Figure 1 The three adjacent RR intervals in the bold box represent the period of sinus electrocardiogram during which the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases.

[0048] 6. Calculate the increase in heart rate ΔHR during a sustained heart rate increase event using the following formula:

[0049] △HR = HR2 - HR1; where HR1 and HR2 are the instantaneous heart rates at the beginning and end of the RR interval of a sustained increase in heart rate, respectively.

[0050] 7. Set the heart rate fluctuation threshold △HR0. The sensitivity of heart rate fluctuation analysis can be adjusted by modifying the threshold △HR0.

[0051] 8. Only when △HR≥△HR0 is this sustained increase in heart rate considered a heart rate fluctuation event.

[0052] When the heart rate variability threshold ΔHR0 is set to 4 BPM, the starting heart rate and heart rate variability value (i.e., the increase in heart rate) corresponding to the time of each heart rate variability event are shown in the following figure. Figure 2 .

[0053] 9. A complete heart rate fluctuation event should include a period of rising heart rate and a period of falling heart rate. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 .

[0054] For heart rate fluctuations, every rise is followed by a fall, and these rises and falls constitute a cycle of heart rate fluctuations. In other words, since there is a one-to-one correspondence between the rise and fall of heart rate, as long as we find the number of times the heart rate rises (or increases in heart rate) occurs, we can calculate the number of heart rate fluctuations and the frequency of heart rate fluctuations.

[0055] Generally, the number of heart rate fluctuation events can be counted by time, such as 24 hours, daytime, nighttime, hour, and minute, and a list of heart rate fluctuation events and the frequency of heart rate fluctuations by time can be reported. See [link to documentation]. Figure 2 An increase in heart rate is caused by an increase in cardiac workload, and conversely, changes in cardiac workload lead to changes in electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate. Among these indicators, the ECG records bioelectrical signals, and its data sampling frequency is relatively high, allowing it to reflect changes in cardiac activity earliest. This invention, by statistically analyzing heart rate fluctuation events, can quantify changes in cardiac workload and their cycles, and further analyze the relationship between heart rate fluctuations and changes in other vital signs such as blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate, providing clinical guidance for the treatment of cardiovascular patients. Additionally, it can generate heart rate trend graphs and 24-hour time histograms of heart rate fluctuation events. See [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The heart rate trend chart and time histogram shown are from 13:00 to 20:00 respectively. The trend chart and histogram can reflect the frequency of heart rate fluctuations at each moment within 24 hours. The workload of the human heart varies greatly at different times of 24 hours. Indicators such as heart rate and heart rate fluctuation can reflect the workload and changes of the heart from different perspectives.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a computer medium storing a program for determining heart rate fluctuations, wherein the program for determining heart rate fluctuations, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the aforementioned method for determining heart rate fluctuations. That is, the program for determining heart rate fluctuations can be distributed on a computer medium, which may include a computer storage medium (or a non-transitory medium). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage medium includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data), including but not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and is accessible by a computer.

[0057] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a system for determining heart rate fluctuations, comprising:

[0058] The data acquisition device is used to collect and save 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram data of the human body;

[0059] A computer is used to acquire and process the data from the data acquisition device for the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram of the human body.

[0060] The computer includes a memory and a processor; the computer's memory stores a program for determining heart rate fluctuations, and when the program is executed by the computer's processor, it implements the steps of the aforementioned method for determining heart rate fluctuations. See also... Figure 7 The computer 100 includes a memory 1 and a processor 2. The memory 1 of the computer 100 stores a program for determining heart rate fluctuations. When the program is executed by the processor 2 of the computer 100, it implements the steps of the aforementioned method for determining heart rate fluctuations.

[0061] This invention can adjust the heart rate fluctuation threshold according to the individual differences of each data point, providing new indicators and methods for studying cardiac load and the human autonomic nervous system's ability to regulate heart rate, and also providing direction and basis for in-depth research on the causes of abnormal human vital signs.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, it is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications based on the principles of the present invention. Therefore, all modifications made in accordance with the principles of the present invention should be understood to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining heart rate fluctuations, characterized in that, The method includes: By analyzing and processing the data from a 24-hour Holter monitor, a Holter monitor containing only sinus beats is obtained. Identify each sinus ECG period in a Holter monitor containing only sinus beats where the instantaneous heart rate continuously increases, and record the event of continuous instantaneous heart rate increase as a heart rate increase event; wherein each sinus ECG period with continuous instantaneous heart rate increase contains at least two adjacent RR intervals with continuous instantaneous heart rate increase, the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the first RR interval in each sinus ECG period with continuous instantaneous heart rate increase is less than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval, and the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the subsequent RR interval in each sinus ECG period with continuous instantaneous heart rate increase is greater than the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to the previous RR interval; Based on the instantaneous increase in heart rate and the heart rate fluctuation threshold of each heart rate increase event, it is determined whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event, thereby analyzing cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation event.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of analyzing and processing 24-hour Holter monitoring data to obtain a Holter monitor containing only continuous heartbeats includes: The data of the human body's 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram are obtained from the recorder; The data from the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram of the human body were analyzed on a beat-by-beat basis to determine the type of each heartbeat; Abnormal heartbeats are removed to obtain a dynamic electrocardiogram containing only sinus heartbeats.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The types of heartbeats include sinus beats, and the abnormal types of heartbeats are any other heartbeats besides sinus beats.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining whether each heart rate increase event belongs to a heart rate fluctuation event based on the instantaneous heart rate increase and heart rate fluctuation threshold of each heart rate increase event includes: For any heart rate increase event, the instantaneous heart rate increase is determined based on the instantaneous heart rates corresponding to the first and last RR intervals in the sinus electrocardiogram period during which the instantaneous heart rate increases continuously. Compare the instantaneous increase in heart rate during the heart rate increase event with the heart rate fluctuation threshold; If the instantaneous increase in heart rate during the heart rate increase event is greater than the heart rate fluctuation threshold, then the heart rate increase event is determined to be a heart rate fluctuation event.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heart rate fluctuation threshold is positively correlated with the analytical sensitivity of heart rate fluctuation events.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The analysis of cardiac load information based on the heart rate fluctuation events includes: Based on preset time information, the number of heart rate fluctuation events and the frequency of the heart rate fluctuation events are counted. Based on the number and frequency of the heart rate fluctuation events, the degree and cycle of changes in cardiac load are quantified. Alternatively, based on the preset statistical time information and the number of heart rate fluctuation events, a time histogram of heart rate fluctuation events can be plotted to reflect the degree of change in cardiac load.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the instantaneous heart rate corresponding to each RR interval in the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram of the human body, a heart rate trend graph is plotted to reflect the workload of the heart.

8. A system for determining heart rate fluctuations, comprising: The data acquisition device is used to collect and save 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram data of the human body; A computer is used to acquire and process the data from the data acquisition device for the 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram of the human body; The computer is characterized in that it includes a memory and a processor; wherein the memory of the computer stores a program for determining heart rate fluctuations, and when the program is executed by the processor of the computer, it implements the steps of the method for determining heart rate fluctuations as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer medium, characterized in that, It stores a program for determining heart rate fluctuations, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method for determining heart rate fluctuations as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images